Poldine Carlo

1920 - 2018

Poldine (Demoski) Carlo was born Dec. 5, 1920, in Nulato on the Yukon River and passed away May 9, 2018, at her home in Fairbanks. Joseph and Anna Stickman, Poldine's grandparents, raised her. It was her grandmother who instilled in Poldine the strong traditional Athabascan ways of life. Growing up, Poldine was taught to have a deep respect and love for people and those teachings were the root of her life's work.
Poldine was working at the hospital in Tanana when she met William Carlo. They married March 19, 1940, and raised their eight children along the Yukon River. In 1957, they settled in Fairbanks so that their children could attend high school without leaving home. During this time, they took in many children so they too could have the opportunity to go to school in Fairbanks. In the late 50s, Fairbanks was not always a welcoming place for Native people. Poldine and Bill opened their home as a gathering place for the Native community and from that Fairbanks Native Association was formed in the 1960s. Poldine was also a founding member of Denakkanaaga and faithfully attended the meetings of Fairbanks Native Association, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Denakkanaaga, Alaska Federation of Natives and Doyon, Ltd.
Poldine shared her wisdom in many ways, such as becoming an elder in Residence at UAF, authoring the book "Nulato: an Indian life on the Yukon," making recordings of Athabascan words for her grandchildren, and continually advocating for Native people. UAF recognized her achievements by awarding her an honorary Doctorate of Law degree in 2001. During her lifetime of service committed to community, Poldine humbly received many awards. Among them were being featured on a Smithsonian Institute recording, the Hannah Paul Solomon "Woman of Courage" by Alaska Federation of Natives, Farthest North Girl Scout's Woman of Distinction, the BP Golden Citizen Chieftain designation, First Alaskans Institute's Howard Rock Alaska Native Leader, and most recently, induction into the Alaska Women's Hall of Fame as one of only 12 women selected from across the state.
Poldine's wit and grace brought her friendship with people from all walks of life. She was as comfortable conversing in Athabascan, her first language, with her lifelong friends as she was giving interviews to reporters. She could tell you about meeting the Pope or singing a song about Denali in her Native language when greeting former President Barack Obama. "Blueberry Hill" by Fats Domino was Bill's and her song. She composed Athabascan songs for her husband and her daughter Ann when each of them passed. Meeting rooms would immediately quiet when she began singing. "Eagle Island Blues" was a song that people loved to hear her sing.
Poldine is survived by her children, Dorothy (Mike), William Jr. (Helena), Kenneth (Judy), Walter (Gail), Glenn, Kathleen and her son-in-law Jimmy Whigham. She is preceded in death by her husband, William Sr.; son, Stewart; daughter, Lucy Ann; son-in-law, Dennis Kendall; and daughter-in-law, Jean Flanagan Carlo. Her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren will remember her as the strong, inspirational matriarch of their family.